Cameron to defy critics and back wind farms

David Cameron will call today for more wind farms to be built in Britain to help industry.

Speaking to more than 20 energy ministers from around the world, Mr Cameron will say that more renewable energy must be built to "keep the lights on" while "protecting the planet for our children and grandchildren".

He will back plans for 70 turbines off the North East coast and give his support to an onshore wind farm near Rotherham, funded by Banks Renewables, the same company that wants to put up turbines in Brontë country in Yorkshire.

"Renewables are now the fastest growing energy source on the planet," he will say. "And I am proud that Britain has played a leading role at the forefront of this green energy revolution."

Mr Cameron's speech at the Clean Energy Ministerial in London will be seen as a riposte to many in his own party. More than 100 Tory MPs have written to the Prime Minister to object to plans for more turbines. George Osborne, the Chancellor, has promised not to "burden" business with green policies. Speaking at the high-profile event at Lancaster House, Mr Cameron will make clear his support for both offshore and onshore wind and will praise the growth of industries making and installing cables to more wind farms around Britain.

At present there are just over 3,000 wind turbines onshore and more than 500 offshore. In the next decade, the number on land could more than double, while those offshore could reach 5,000.

Environmental groups said Mr Cameron has yet to persuade the rest of his Cabinet to support green energy. Gaynor Hartnell, the chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association, said the Treasury has been "marginalising" renewable energy, despite its potential "to stimulate much needed growth and employment".

Coventry Cathedral has abandoned plans to become Britain's first cathedral to install solar panels after the Government cut a green subsidy by more than half. The cathedral was to invest £100,000 on the panels with a "feed-in tariff" of 43p for every unit of energy generated, enabling the cost to be recouped. The cut means the project is no longer viable.

From The Daily Telegraph